Virginia Teehan
Director

It is with great sadness that the Museum announces the death of John Hunt our benefactor and founding member.

John was the driving force behind the establishment of the Museum which houses the internationally important collection of art and antiquities formed by his parents, John and Gertrude Hunt. The Museum brings to the public a collection of international significance in an historic building equipped to best museum standards. The Hunt collection is acknowledged as being one of the most important private collections in the state.

John's legacy and that of the Hunt family are physically evident in the Mid West region. Underpinning their vision was a generosity of spirit to share their enjoyment and appreciation of our heritage with the wider public in general and the Irish people in particular. The Hunt family were central in the development of heritage sites such as Lough Gur, Bunratty and Craggaunowen all of which bear testimony to their unique vision.

John, in particular, recognized the artistic, educational and historic value of their unique collection of art and antiquities and wished it would remain intact and be exhibited for public viewing. His spontaneity and creativity in making the collection accessible has influenced the Museum in all aspects of its operation. John's personal energy, liveliness and vision will be remembered with fondness by all those associated with the Museum since its inception over ten years ago. His enormous contribution to the organization will be greatly missed by the staff, docents (the volunteer force) the Friends of the Hunt Museum and by the Board.

As well as his association with the Hunt Museum, John has simultaneously worked in the arts sector as a critic and journalist for many years. He was visual arts critic for the RTE Radio arts shows The Arts Show and subsequently, Rattlebag. He has also worked as arts correspondent for Lyric FM. John has also written many catalogue essays for major exhibitions and other arts events. As a print journalist, John has worked with Circa, and the general print media, The Evening Echo. John also served on a number of boards, including, The Island Theatre Company and is the present Chair of The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annamakerrig. He was also a member of The Hunt Museums Trust and The Hunt Museum Ltd. In 1997 John and Trudy Hunt were both awarded the Freedom of the City of Limerick. In 2001, John was awarded a Gold Medal by the Royal Hibernian Academy in recognition of his unique and special contribution to the world of Irish arts.

All of us associated with the Museum extend our deepest sympathies to John's wife Patricia, daughter, Miriam and sons Paddy and Jack and to John's sister Trudy. They are in all our thoughts and prayers at this very sad time. May he rest in peace.

Virginia Teehan
Director
31st August 2004

ENDS